It hasn't been too long since Microsoft launched Lumia 950 and 950 XL, two premium Windows 10 phones to challenge Android and iOS markets, and Microsoft is already losing interest in the concept.

Microsoft has suggested that Windows isn't the right platform to generate developer interest, at least in the current year.

“If you wanted to reach a lot of phone customers, Windows Phone isn’t the way to do it. If you want to reach a lot of Windows customers, then this is the largest install base of 9 to 30-inch screens. If you wanted to do new and exciting things, then the Xbox and HoloLens is the place to have a discussion,” said Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft while speaking at Microsoft's BUILD 2016.

It seems that with less that 2 per cent of smartphone users owning Windows phones and the recent popularity of VR devices has swung Microsoft's attention away from the Windows 10 mobile platform.

“We’re going to do some cool things with phones, but this year phones are an important part of our family but not the tip of the spear,” he added.

Having written off losses to the tune of billions of dollars after buying the Lumia brand, Microsoft still invested heavily on Windows 10 and has released four new phones in as many months, including two premium ones. However, sales haven't been as encouraging.

Microsoft's Windows 10 push seemed to have lost steam back in December when word went around on Microsoft outsourcing the phone-making business to its Surface team. It was reported that the next phone from Microsoft will be based on the interface currently being used by Microsoft's Surface devices.

The next Surface Phone will reportedly run on Intel's x86 processor and will run Windows programmes like Continuum and a USB Type-C port for quick data transfers. The Surface team have already churned out amazing gadgets like the Surface Book and the very popular Surface Pro 4 tablet, so we're sure the next Surface phone could turn out to be a true premium device.

The final blow to Windows 10 as a competitive mobile platform probably came when HERE Maps announced that it will pull its app from Windows store and remove support for Windows 10 and Windows 8 phone apps from 29 March.

After Windows 10 was launched, HERE used a workaround to make its app compatible with the new operating system which ends on June 30. From July 1, users of Windows 10 phone will no longer be able to access their beloved HERE maps app. Since a large number of Windows Phone owners bought Windows phones so that they could use HERE Maps, Microsoft has now lost a major USP behind selling Windows phones.

With Microsoft managing to sell just over 5.8 million Windows phones compared to almost 300 million Android smartphones and over 46 million iPhones in the third quarter of 2015, it seems Microsoft has temporarily given up any intention of investing heavily on Windows 10 phones until next year.